Whatever you might read, this is NOT a zombie movie

Rating: Null/10 (1 May 2006)

Nor is it really a horror movie. A thriller, yes. A bit of gore (though far less than I originally imagined from the subject matter), sure. But it's not a zombie flick, it's not even really about the horror.
It's about humanity, and how fragile the separation is between humans and other animals.
The initial infection with Rage is little more than a plot device. That's not stated in a derogatory way, but it's simply less important in the overall scheme of things. Though I did pick up on some real issues with the disease process as it was presented that scene left me pondering one real question at the end of the movie. Who was really to blame for the infection - the scientists that created Rage in the first place, or the activists who set it free, despite warnings of the imminent chaos that would ensue?
I won't deny there are significant plot holes. Any number of the other reviews will cover these for you, but in my mind, the plot was merely a stage to demonstrate what happens to so-called civilised society when social constraints are removed. Some people feel there's not enough angst over the loss among the characters, but to me it seemed realistic. How can you possibly comprehend, let alone grieve for and come to terms with, the loss of an entire nation, possibly the entire world? Numbness, denial, anger, those emotions all come before acceptance and grief and this can only be magnified in a situation such as this, especially when you are still fighting for your survival every day.
Contrary to what others have said, I didn't find the middle of the film dragging. However, that is probably because I was viewing this as a showpiece of humanity rather than as a gore-fest. It wasn't something that made me jump and scream, but it left me with a profound sense of unease that left me both hating and loving the film at the same time. The initial scenes of a deserted London, and the deserted stretch of motorway that I know so well was more disturbing than any horror effect could have been. The fact that this was so British in it's presentation was a wonderful thing in a market so dominated with US products.
I found that the storyline with the soldiers was perfectly believable and yet again served to demonstrate that the enemy isn't "zombies", but humanity - whatever guise it might take. The quarantine would seem to be a valid route to prevent a pandemic spread of the infection - ultimately, humans want to survive, by whatever means is necessary.
Overall, the alternative ending provided on the DVD would have fitted better than the "offical" ending, but ultimately the premise is the same. Things happen. People will succumb and die as a result of their own failings, depression, hopelessness, disease, injury, infection in a post apocalyptic world... but if any people survive, then they will regroup and reform society because in the end, humans are social creatures. But what can be more frightening is what kind of humans would remain to repopulate society after the fact?
Thought provoking, chilling and disquieting, I've knocked off a couple of points for the obvious plot holes even though, in my estimation, they don't significantly detract from the overall effect of the movie. If you go expecting gore, horror, shocks and zombies, you're going to be sadly disappointed. If you need a seamless plot rather than a premise and imagery, then you'll probably be annoyed at the plot holes. If you watch it prepared for a quietly disturbing presentation of humanity and society, then you'll probably get a lot more out of the film than you might have expected.